VITALS: 7-0, 247 Pau Orthez (France) OVERVIEW: Joined Pau Orthez, the best team in country's top professional league, in 2003-04, averaging 2.9 points in eight minutes. He played 13 minutes per game this season, contributing 6.1 points and 3.3 rebounds. The 19-year-old has extensive amateur experience and has played 18 games in the Euroleague. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Petro could go anywhere in the first round. He is a player who has high potential but very little track record playing at a high level so far. He could be a good pick for Sacramento (23), San Antonio (28) or Miami (29). COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Nazr Mohammed COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Jerrod Mustaf ROLE PROJECTION: Backup center. POSITIVES: Petro has an NBA body - long arms, good upper body strength and the ability to run the court. He has received good training with the coaching staff of one of the most respected teams in France. And he is only 19 years old. SHORTCOMINGS: Petro has been a little slower to develop than talent evaluators in Europe surmised. He has not earned big minutes and still plays only about 13 per game. His offensive repertoire is not a polished one, so the team drafting him must be ready to exercise plenty of patience.
